Spam has long been a staple household ingredient known for its versatility, simple preparation, and long shelf life. You really either love or hate Spam. However, with its popularity and versatility, spam has quickly become a popular ingredient in various recipes that may just turn you into an absolute Spam fanatic.
Spam can be easily prepared and added to just about anything. What is spam you ask exactly? Spam is canned pork that has a spongy and moist texture like a sausage patty or Canadian bacon.
When cooked, Spam gets a nice crispy texture which makes it a crunchy texture perfect for rice, potato, and sandwich recipes.
You may be asking yourself, “what can I make with spam?”
These easy Spam dishes will show you how to use Spam in 20 different ways. From the typical Hawaiian snack musubi to Spam grilled cheese, the variations are limitless.
These recipes using spam will show you how Spam can be the star of any show. Read on for more spam ideas and Spaminspiration!
1. Spam Musubi
Try a little taste of a typical Hawaiian snack consisting of rice, seaweed, and marinated spam.
The spam is marinated in soy sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, and sugar which gives the Spam a nice sweet and sour flavor.
Similar to sushi or nigiri, spam musubi is a perfect snack to prep for the week and have on hand whenever you are hungry.
Fun fact, in Hawaii you can find spam musubi at most gas stations. For more flavor, add hot sauce or any type of sauce you prefer.
2. Spam Fried Potatoes
Name a better breakfast than crispy fried potatoes? For a quick and hearty breakfast, try this quick Spam fried potato recipe.
This simple savory breakfast can’t be beaten, as it only takes a few ingredients and minimal time.
Compare this recipe to an easy skillet potato hash while using a budget-friendly ingredient that’s most readily available in most supermarkets.
Make this spam dish even more enjoyable by adding a fried egg on top and some hot sauce for a little spice.
3. Spam Fried Rice
Never let leftover rice go to waste again with this pantry leftover recipe. Clean out the fridge with this Spam fried rice recipe using any leftover meat or veggies.
This budget-friendly recipe is a great quick lunch or dinner recipe to feed lots of mouths. Try doubling or tripling the recipe to have quick on-the-go batch meals.
Just reheat, serve, and garnish with fresh green onions and pico de Gallo salsa.
4. Spam and Eggs
This protein-packed breakfast is bound to satisfy your savory breakfast cravings and fuel your day. Spam and eggs are a perfect budget meal to feed the whole family.
Try switching up this recipe by sauteing onions and garlic before frying the spam. Feel free to scramble eggs or make a french omelet with the spam as the filling.
To add another layer of flavor and pop of color, top with fresh scallions or chives. Add all your favorite seasonings when sauteeing onions for even more flavor profiles.
5. Classic Spam Fritters
Who doesn’t love anything with the word fritter in it? These beer-battered spam fritters will make you see Britain’s famous fritters in a whole new light.
Filled with melted cheese and crispy spam, these fritters will give your mouth a nice bite.
You really can never go wrong with fritters. And if spam rocks your world then yes, you should definitely try these spam fritters.
These fritters are made with a crispy beer batter oozing with melted cheese with each bite.
6. Simple Grilled Cheese and Egg
We all know the way to someone’s heart starts with grilled and ends with cheese. Level up your simple grilled cheese by adding crispy pan-fried Spam and eggs cooked to your preference.
And of course, no proper egg sandwich would be complete without the oozing melted cheddar cheese.
To make this simple grilled cheese to a higher level of excellence, try adding fresh avocado slices or guacamole. You won’t regret it as we all can agree that avocado makes everything better.
7. Spam Classic Kimbap
What is kimbap? Kimbap is a typical South Korean sushi snack consisting of fresh julienned vegetables, eggs, and various meats like BBQ Korean ham.
In this case, we will use Spam which gives it a similar taste to the original recipe. For a more traditional version, try marinating your spam in bbq sauce before frying.
Don’t forget to add all the fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumber, and pickled cabbage or kimchi. If you want a little more spice, try adding sriracha on top of the role.
8. Spam Tacos
As we continue our spam exploration, this is one recipe you don’t want to miss. Spam tacos are quick yet versatile and can be easily flavored with your favorite hot sauces or salsas.
Make sure to buy taco seasoning to give your spam an upgrade and try adding various hot sauces, salsas, or fresh guacamole to make these tacos even tastier.
Pair with a crisp Corona and lime to get the full Mexican experience.
9. 2-Step Spam Grilled Cheese
The easiest and quickest grilled cheese recipe has just landed in your fingerprints.
This 2-step Spam grilled cheese is perfect for those on the go looking for a quick spam dish and bites to eat.
All you need is two pieces of bread, two slices of cheese, and of course Spam. This recipe is too delicious and simple to pass up.
To spruce up this grilled cheese, try adding fresh slices of tomato to add a little moisture.
10. Spam Gnocchi Soup
Today’s soup of the day is a warm garlicky spam gnocchi soup loaded with fresh vegetables and a creamy chicken broth.
This spam recipe is similar to the famous Olive Garden chicken & gnocchi soup but on a budget. The Spam is a nice crunch addition and pairs excellently with the garlicky creamy potato goodness.
This soup can be saved for the week or when you are in a hurry, yet craving a savory homecooked meal to give your stomach a big hug.
11. Hawaiian Pizza
Spice up your next pizza party with the best Spam Hawaiian pizza recipe.
What makes Hawaiian pizza “Hawaiian” exactly? Hawaiian pizza origins trace back to a Greek man deciding to top his pizza with canned Dole pineapple.
e coined it “Hawaiian” pizza because of the pineapple companies’ origins in Hawaii.
We can make this “Hawaiian” pizza a real authentic Hawaiian dish by adding crispy fried Spam instead of Ham.
Take this pizza to another level by adding fresh pineapple instead of canned pineapple. Feeling spicy? Top with sriracha and enjoy this unique pizza experience.
12. Bacon-Wrapped SPAM® Bites
Bite-sized Spam bits wrapped in crispy bacon smothered in a honey mustard dipping sauce. Life is good but it’s definitely better with this Spam recipe.
This easy recipe is a perfect appetizer or snack for large groups or families as it’s budget-friendly and easily accessible.
Don’t forget the sauce! These bites are best paired with a tangy mouthwatering honey mustard apple mixture that will leave your taste buds wanting more, and more.
13. Basic SPAM® with Ramen Noodles
Refine your college dorm meal by adding your favorite ingredients Spam and fresh sauteed vegetables. Whether you are in your dorm or not, this Spam recipe is bound to elevate your ramen and add that element of crunch to complement your soft noodles.
Make mom proud by adding fresh vegetables like sauteed broccoli or spinach to make this dish a little healthier.
Add a sweet chili dipping sauce for some sweet and salty flavors. Top with fresh chopped cilantro and jalapenos.
14. Spam Fries
Every day is Friday in my book. However, today we are going to put a twist on things. Instead of using our beloved potatoes, we will use Spam to make the crunchiest and easiest “fries”.
Take 10 minutes out of your day to enjoy this spam recipe. All you need to do is cut your spam into thick matchsticks, then fry in hot oil. Or alternatively, you can use an air-fryer and cook for 12-15 minutes.
And of course, these fries would be nothing without the sauce. Try adding General Tsao Stir Fry Sauce or Sriracha ketchup. You will not be disappointed with the best Spam fry recipe.
15. Breakfast Spamadillas
Ole! Start the morning right with these breakfast Spamadillas. A unique take on the classic quesadilla but uses Spam as the main star.
Don’t forget to add the bacon, eggs, and cheese to make these Spamadillas the best you’ve ever had. Serve with your favorite quesadilla toppings like fresh pico de gallo, green onions, sour cream, and extra hot sauce.
Enjoy during breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
16. Egg Salad Spam Sandwich
Make the perfect spread or dip with this simple egg salad spam recipe.
Prep ahead for a week of egg salad sandwiches, cracker spreads, or muffin spreads. Add fresh chives or scallion onions to give this dish a bit more green.
Add a little lemon juice to keep the mixture fresher if you save it in the refrigerator. To make the best egg salad spam sandwich, add lettuce, tomato, and avocado to your favorite bread and top with egg salad spam.
17. Corny Pancakes
These corny pancakes are bound to wake you up on the right side of the bed. Boasting cream-style corn and finely chopped Spam paired with buttery pancake syrup of honey, this will undoubtedly give wake your tastebuds up with a sweet and savory surprise.
The Spam adds the perfect saltiness and amount of protein to get your day started right. To make these pancakes more savory, try replacing syrup with sour cream or creme Fraiche.
18. Spam Puffs
Fast and easy hors d’oeuvres that will be sure to please all of your guests. Perfect for a football Sunday or party, these Spam puffs are made just with biscuit baking mix and cheese.
Add all your favorite spices like cayenne pepper, chile flakes, or jalapenos to give this recipe an upgrade.
Try serving with dipping sauces like sweet chile sauce or a honey mustard vinaigrette.
19. Spammy Cakes
Have you ever tried cupcakes made with the high and might Spam? No? Well, the time is now to try this exciting unique take on normal cupcakes.
If bacon cupcakes can exist, then so can Spammy cakes. This sweet and savory recipe offers a new way to eat cupcakes.
Your tastebuds are in for a pleasant yet eccentric surprise with this special mashed potato “frosting” pipping. Go ahead, try something new with this unique Spam recipe.
20. Spam Waffles with Cheese
Last but not least, what would life be like without Spam cheese waffles? If you haven’t tried sweet and savory waffles, you are in for the ultimate surprise.
By incorporating the cheddar cheese in the batter, every bite will be filled with oozing cheesy goodness.
Once you try this spam recipe, you will never go back to normal waffles. If you are feeling even more adventurous, try pairing each bite with a dash of jam or marmalade. Sweet, savory, and budget-friendly, what more can you ask for?
20 Best Spam Recipes Ideas
Ingredients
- 2 c uncooked short-grain white rice
- 5 sheets sushi nori
- 6 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ c soy sauce
- ½ c white sugar
- ¼ c oyster sauce
- 2 c water
- 1 (12 oz) container fully cooked luncheon meat (e.g. Spam)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil then add soaked rice. Soak rice for 4 hours before using; drain and rinse well.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
- When rice is cooked, stir in vinegar and let cook for 30-60 minutes. The rice should be at room temperature before assembling musubi.
- To make the spam marinade, stir together soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar until completely dissolved. Then add sliced spam to the marinade. Let marinate for 5-30 minutes (the more time the better). This will give the spam a nice caramelized flavor.
- Sautee spam slices with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 2 minutes per side until browned.
- To assemble musubi, you can either use a spam musubi moldor use your hands to create a mold. Using the sliced spam as a guide, form a rice patty of the same shape. Then wrap the rice and spam with a nori seaweed stripe. Use water to seal seaweed.